WOMEN: Sexual violence continues in the DRC, but some progress achieved

There is still a long way to go in the fight against impunity for sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) although some progress has been made, according to the Secretary-General's Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura warned that those who commit sexual violence, wherever they are, whoever they are, will be sought and found. A recent UN report says thousands of people have been victims of rape and sexual violence, in particular in the eastern part of the DRC over the past four years. Stephanie Coutrix asked Ms. Bangura about the current challenges and successes in ending sexual violence in conflict.

Rape and impunity in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Ending the use of rape as a weapon of war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is in the headlines again as senior UN officials hold a meeting at UN headquarters in New York to review the progress made. Some estimates suggest that up to 200,000 women have been raped in the country. There have been significant challenges preventing rape survivors from accessing justice, delegates attending a debate on the matter at the Human Rights Council found.

"Vulnerable" Pygmy population receive ambulances in CAR

Women from the indigenous Pygmy population in the Central African Republic are being given a helping hand to access maternal health services. The UN's Population Fund (UNFPA) is donating a number of ambulances so women living in the most isolated parts of the country can get to hospital. Jean-Pierre Ramazani caught up with Victoria Kyeampong, the fund's representative in CAR and asked her about the ambulances.